Mumsnet poll needed. If you had a year 7 child...

[seeker]

would you take him out of school for a week in June to go to a Tall Ships Festival in Rouen with his dad? Staying on a tall ship that's part of the festival- helping to manage the ship, show visitors round- and seeing Madness live......you would, wouldn't you? Even if you are massively against holidays in school time?

[Loshad]

Yes as a teacher i would be happy with a y7 taken out for that reason, i do think he will learn a lot, and yes i do think it sounds a lot more educationally valid than a week on a beach in Ibiza. (In general against term time holidays btw).

[Arcticwaffle]

Yes, I would. But I'm not particularly against term time holidays, we only don't take them because we both work and it would mean we'd have to pay more holiday childcare/organise more holiday entertainment, so it wouldn't actually save us any money.

[lottieandmia]

yes, I would!

[YellowandGreenandRedandBlue]

He is your child, stick with your own opinion, if you think this is a good opportunity, go for it.

I don't get why you care what others think really?

[Blu]

I wouldn't take DS out of school for a holiday of the kind we take (a typical mix of relaxing leisure activities....beach, day at zoo, day at historical sort of place, a few walks) but I would for a one-off opportunity for an activity from which he would gain things in terms of personal development and education. I would take him out for the trip you describe, no question.

I took DS out of school for a day trip to CERN, but never for any other holiday. I think there is a difference. It isn't about being entitled or more worthy.

[radicalsubstitution]

I have also moaned many times on these threads about the 'educational' value of some 'educational visits' that pupils take part in. Most are very good, but I question whether any educational visit to Thorpe Park is much more than a day out. It annoys me some headteachers will refuse all term-time holidays as a matter of course and yet allow 'educational' trips to Disneyland Paris'.

[radicalsubstitution]

I don't see that it's particularly different from any other term time holiday.

Then again, I don't see why a child with a good attitude to learning and good attendance/punctuality should not be granted a term-time holiday on occasion.

I hate the fact that head teachers have had their 'discretion' taken away from them by politicians/civil servants.

I trust that OP is already well aware of assessment dates and other vital 'stuff' at school during that period.

I would, without any shadow of a doubt, go for it! It sounds like a fabulous opportunity. I would, however, not ask DS' teachers to sort out school work for him to 'do' while he is away (not sure if you were thinking of doing that).

[BOF]

I'd have the courage of your convictions- it's not a week in Majorca etc, is it?

[Wolfiefan]

I am a teacher and believe holidays shouldn't be taken in term time except in truly unusual circumstances.
But... This sounds like a once in a lifetime experience. I'd do it! I doubt Y7 exams couldn't be sat just before you went or on return. (They are not set by an external board.) Tell teachers what he'll do when away (research food, try new language skills, learn about local geography/history or they could set a piece of work if they REALLY felt the need!

[TheFallenMadonna]

Of course it's not. It's a fab opportunity for your very fortunate son. But... a holiday away with family is pretty fab for quite a lot if the considerably less fortunate children I teach. As rare an occurrence. Wonderful for them.

He should go. It is indeed a no brainer. I just think you could perhaps allow some shades of grey into your position on the back of it.

[seeker]

I'm doubting myself because people are saying that it's just the same as any other term time holiday. I genuinely thought it wasn't.......

[noblegiraffe]

Why not ask, and if the school say yes your conscience is clear. If they say no, then would you send him unauthorised?

He may have exams in June though?

[slipshodsibyl]

I was just about to type what BOF said. Why do you need to ask? You know it's the right thing to do.

[BOF]

I'm surprised you are doubting yourself, it sounds like a no-brainer to me.

[seeker]

I suppose there is the fact that the festival is happening then, not in the school holidays, so it's go in school time or not go at all. Oh, I don't know........!

[TheFallenMadonna]

Personally, I don't have much beef with a year 7 having a week off (mine won't because I'm a teacher), but this is essentially a really fab holiday in term time, and setting it in contrast with other less worthy holidays is not great.

If it were my DS, I'd absolutely send him. And perhaps limit my objections to exam years.

[ReluctantBeing]

Yes. And I'm a teacher.

[seeker]

Oh god...............

[bulletpoint]

No i wouldnt.

[AtiaoftheJulii]

I guess if I were massively against holidays in term time I might wonder why I thought my kids were more entitled to one than others

But personally I don't really give a shit about such things - my y7 has just had 6 days off sick and he seems to be doing ok - so I'd go for it :)

[TheOriginalSteamingNit]

Well no, but then I have no interest in tall ships! If it was a passion of hers and a once in a lifetime thing.... I still don't know tbh!

[Startail]

Yes